Relief Society just a repeat of SM

[Dravin]

Women can't be trusted round the elders.

Just in case you aren't aware, the rule is that missionaries aren't to be alone with members of the opposite sex. A single man wouldn't be able to host the Sister Missionaries alone either. If the rule is, "Women can't be trusted around the Elders" it is equally, "Men can't be trusted around the Sisters." I disagree with such a characterization, but if it is going to be used it works both ways.

[skippy740]

The way I view the "Sunday Block" is this:

Sacrament is for the purpose of that ordinance, and to receive instruction applicable to the entire ward.

Sunday School is to help us learn the principles of the Gospel and deepen our understanding of the Scriptures. There are other appropriate Sunday School courses, such as Family History, Missionary Prep, or even Temple prep. These classes are for us individually.

Priesthood / Relief Society: This is where we put the Gospel into action. We mobilize our efforts to do good for others and grow. It's not enough to just hear the word, but we must be doers of the word as well. This is where we put our collective energies so we can be more effective and unified together.

Just my thoughts.

[Guest]

I did think about buying them this as a thank you present Assorted Candy Hamper Large to remind them of home would that be ok? Obviously not instead of a proper meal!

Yep. It's even better if you send me one too. :)

[Meerkatarmy]

Come serve I mission in my ward and answer my endless obscure questions and you can have all the candy you desire

[applepansy]

Twice I have been to RS twice it has just been a repeat of the topics in Sacrement Meeting. It is just really boring and repetitive. O and the endless requests for baking or feeding the missionaries, I bet priesthood don't have all these requests. Also this week was a dozy when some one when discussing repentance said that homeless folk are willful sinners, what is their sin you may ask? Being homeless, yep in my ward being homeless and poor is a sin.

Basically feels like I am stuck in a meeting of the WI with a bunch of the nosest women ever, want to know the ins and outs of everything.

Is my situation unique or do others have the same issue? Should I just go to SM and Sunday school?

In my ward we're repeating YW.

[Meerkatarmy]

Also is it normal for women to ask if you are married before they ask you name? I don't think there is any malice in it at all I am jsut from a church background where outsiders are viewed with suspicsion and where they may introduce themselves after a year or so.

[NeuroTypical]

I don't think anyone, inside or outside of the church, has ever asked me if I was married before they asked my name. I'm 43.

(Not sure if that says something about mormons, or about me )

[skippy740]

"Hi, are you married?"

"No, I'm Skippy. I have an Aunt Mary..."

[Sunday21]

Not to worry, the sisters take turns teaching lessons so there are at least 4 different people teaching each month. Some are better than others. The level of teaching is bound to improve as the teachers are taking teacher training called, "teaching no greater call". The manual for teacher training is amazing so your level of teaching is bound to improve. In the meantime, I echo those who say "ask questions", you will be doing everyone a favor. By the way, you can bring the missionaries a bag of apples - they will really appreciate it. I need to arrange an escort to have the elders at my home so I bring a cooler of frozen food instead. It would be the same rule if I were 100 years old - better safe than sorry! Hang in there. The lessons will get better - and welcome!

Edited March 11, 2014 by Sunday21

[Lakumi]

I don't think anyone, inside or outside of the church, has ever asked me if I was married before they asked my name. I'm 43.

(Not sure if that says something about mormons, or about me )

No one asked me if I was married, but I'm only 25...

[applepansy]

Also is it normal for women to ask if you are married before they ask you name? I don't think there is any malice in it at all I am jsut from a church background where outsiders are viewed with suspicsion and where they may introduce themselves after a year or so.

There is LDS culture and then each ward/stake have their own sub-culture. The sub-culture can be changed over time... s l o o o o o o o w l y.

Not all members ask for marital status before introducing themselves. Most in fact don't. I'm sorry you've run into a few who do.

Ask questions in R.S. If you get an answer you aren't comfortable with ask Heavenly Father in prayer or ask a member you trust or us here at lds.net. Only Heavenly Father's answer will be the right one every time. Its possible to teach the gospel while we're learning it ourselves just by asking questions.

[Leah]

I'd rather move stuff, as would other folk if they tried my baking!

Yep I am getting Baptised on the 22nd, well I will be if the missionaries get back to me about my interview. I have a strong testomy I know this is the church for me. I just feel I can't be a very good mormon woman. Every one is so girly and so sub servant and accepting of their place as second class citizans doing the lesser work of the church. I am a strong indipendent feminst woman I will never be 2nd class to any one

Women in the church are NOT second-class citizens nor do they do "lesser work". Different roles do not mean "lesser" roles.

I cannot think of a single woman I know in the church that I would describe as subservient.

[Suzie]

Twice I have been to RS twice it has just been a repeat of the topics in Sacrement Meeting. It is just really boring and repetitive. O and the endless requests for baking or feeding the missionaries, I bet priesthood don't have all these requests. Also this week was a dozy when some one when discussing repentance said that homeless folk are willful sinners, what is their sin you may ask? Being homeless, yep in my ward being homeless and poor is a sin.

I know where you are coming from. Every ward is different, but people remain the same everywhere (the good, the bad and the ugly). Just like sometimes we can be kind, welcoming, warm, friendly, helpful and considerate, unfortunately we can also be lazy, nosy, gossipy, pharisaic, judgmental and obnoxious.

[Suzie]

Also is it normal for women to ask if you are married before they ask you name?

Normal? No but it happens, some members are a little too curious from the start.

[pam]

Also there is nothing that says a woman can't get out and help move. When I first moved to Utah, it was a new neighborhood being built. A lot of us got out and helped people move in when their house was finished.

And for the record...I've never once felt like a second rate citizen within the church. I believe that each gender has their own roles that work together but are equal.

[Iggy]

I have no problem feeding the missionaries, but was told I couldn't being a single woman. Clearly I can not be trusted to serve dinner with out trying to seduce them. I know as a gay woman would be a really hard not to weigh them up for husband material.

In my Branch we have widowed and/divorced sisters, lots of them. The solution they have found to feeding the missionaries: Invite a married couple and one investigator. That makes 6 at the table.

Our latest batch of investigators are all single too - my husband and I are called on a lot to join the Elder Missionaries when they teach a female investigator. The last female investigator and I hit it off and are now *Going To The Movies* buddies, plus she sits next to us in Sacrament, and next to me in RS. She feels more comfortable around me because I used to smoke and drink alcohol.

I don't judge her when she goes off the wagon with the smokes - she is going in for brain surgery at the end of the month and her Dr is thrilled she joined the LDS church. NO coffee, NO booze and NO smokes. Makes his job easier, and he is encouraged that the surgery will go better with her off of the *stuff*.

Have you been attending the Gospel Principles class? That is for the investigators, new members and those well seasoned members who want a refreshment course. Personally I like that the Gospel Doctrine and RS lessons often mirror each other. To me, it means that Heavenly Father wants us to really learn the lesson.

The last Sunday of Feb, our Sacrament talkers were told to pick their own subject. They were not related to each other (Husband & Wife) no commonality at all other than LDS and adults. Yet their talks meshed together beautifully- it was as if they had written them together. THEN the RS lesson was on the same topic. My conclusion ~ Father really wanted us to Get The Message.

[The Folk Prophet]

Also there is nothing that says a woman can't get out and help move. When I first moved to Utah, it was a new neighborhood being built. A lot of us got out and helped people move in when their house was finished.

My wife comes and helps at every service project, every move, etc...

As the to OP, in my current ward, Sunday School is the culprit for problematic church conditions, whereas I love Priesthood. But that comes down to nothing more than situation and luck of the draw. Other wards are different. A lot of it has to do with the leaders and who's teaching. Sometimes a single, vocal person in a certain class can alter the entire mood and direction of a class. You really have to just accept that people are people and forgive the idiotic while being grateful for the wise. All the while, accept that you are (as with all of us) as likely as not the problem. We are, usually, our own enemies when it comes to many problems. Thus, humility becomes paramount. Consider your attitudes. They are the only ones you can, ultimately, address and change.

[Roseslipper]

Elders quorum is very close to what the video illustrated it was.

When I get bored in a class, I ask a question in my smooth diplomatic way that ignites debate or observations and most of the time, the teacher is grateful that I do, as reading the manual for everyone is boring as is the cliche answers.

Ask some questions! Be prepared for the usual retorts though, as inevitable someone infers that my faith is lacking and that is all that is required, but usually I am rewarded with some surprisings gems as I realize that others are thinking similar to me.

Participate!

lol @ that u tube is presthood really like that???? come on.....

[The Folk Prophet]

lol @ that u tube is presthood really like that???? come on.....

Surprisingly close. It's exaggerated. And it depends on the ward. Of course it gets it dead wrong on that it has the EQ teacher standing behind the table. You SIT on the table when you teach in EQ. Everyone knows that.

[dahlia]

You can even drop off food at their apartment - or have them pick up food from your house if you're just wanting to feed them and not necessarily have a discussion.

Yeah, I've done that. I've also ordered a pizza and sodas to be delivered to them.

[Roseslipper]

Meerkatarmy, Some times it might be a little hard getting use to relief society and feeling u fit in. I know cause I felt that way at one time. But I now love R.S. I love the sisterhood, enjoy the lessons most of the time. Some times the lessons could be a little dry or boring, that could be in any class. I have fallen a sleep in some classes lol. I say get involved get 2 know the sisters, ask questions. AS far as feeding of the missionaries I don't like that rule either. I been a member 4 along time. When I joined that wasn't a rule. But things happened and to keep all safe these rules were put into places. I'm single still, now old enough to be moms to the missionaries, still don't like that rule, but I understand it. Even single grandmas need to follow the rules. I'm glad I'm a woman wouldn't want 2 be a man. I'm glad I don't hold the priesthood, but we woman have the same power with our faith!!!Plus I as a woman have enough to do. I do honor the Priesthood, the priesthood is just another way to serve. Each gender has different roles. No gender is better then the other one. We all need each other. I am not a 2nd class person because I am a woman. I feel very respected because I am a female. I am an equal with the men. If u want to feed the missionaries, u just have to have someone alse there, or u can take them out cause your in public, or you can give them a gift card or some cash, or u can buy them some grocies bring it to church and put it in the kitchen and give it to them or make a dinner bring it to church leave it in the kitchen and give it to them after. Hopefully you'll get some sister missionaries, I love the sister missionaries. They had no right to say what they did in r.s. or any other class @ church about the homeless, that was so wrong. But you will see we are all people, non of us are perfect, that's why we need the gospel. And we do learn things over and over,why because we need it. I love the gospel I am grateful for my membership. I know its the right path for me, for everyone but we need to each find it out for ourselves. You said you feel its true, so dont let the small stuff that might happen take you away from the truth, from your spiritual growth. That would be sad. Remember there's opposition to all things. It is my desire to see you grow in the gospel I know this will bring you so much happiness. Having the Spirit as your companion is wonderful, losing it is alful it's darkness instead of light. I hope we have helped you..

Edited March 12, 2014 by Roseslipper

[Lakumi]

I'd feel bad inviting anyone over for any meal to my home lol

I never understood the Priesthood Meeting part, though it was suggested I stay anyways

they had me introduce myself once, didn't like that lol

[Roseslipper]

Oh as for mothers staying home its different for each family. It is best if this can happen it's better for the children, for the family. But some mother's do have to go out to help pay for the bills (the up keep of the families needs, not wants.

[Wingnut]

Not to worry, the sisters take turns teaching lessons so there are at least 4 different people teaching each month. Some are better than others. The level of teaching is bound to improve as the teachers are taking teacher training called, "teaching no greater call". The manual for teacher training is amazing so your level of teaching is bound to improve. In the meantime, I echo those who say "ask questions", you will be doing everyone a favor. By the way, you can bring the missionaries a bag of apples - they will really appreciate it. I need to arrange an escort to have the elders at my home so I bring a cooler of frozen food instead. It would be the same rule if I were 100 years old - better safe than sorry! Hang in there. The lessons will get better - and welcome!

All this, of course, is only if your ward can be bothered to run a teacher development course.

[Guest]

The sister missionaries and I helped someone move on Saturday, FWIW. :)